DSHS is committed to hiring skilled and dedicated individuals who share a passion for public health to pursue our vision of A Healthy Texas. If you are looking to make an impact and tackle new challenges, we encourage you to consider a career with us.
Employee Benefits:
DSHS offers insurance coverage and other benefits available through the State of Texas Group Benefits Plan administered by the Employee Retirement System of Texas (ERS). To learn more about all the benefits available to you as a DSHS employee and other DSHS opportunities for early career pathways, visit the DSHS Careers Page.
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Functional Title: DIS
Job Title: Disease Intervention Specialis
Agency: Dept of State Health Services
Department: Region 7
Posting Number: 19858
Closing Date: 08/21/2026
Posting Audience: Internal and External
Occupational Category: Healthcare Support
Salary Range: $4,332.08 - $4,332.08
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-18
Shift: Day
Additional Shift: Days (First)
Telework: Eligible for Telework
Travel: Up to 80%
Regular/Temporary: Regular
Full Time/Part Time: Full time
FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Nonexempt
Facility Location:
Job Location City: TEMPLE
Job Location Address: 1010 OLD WACO RD
Other Locations:
MOS Codes: 16GX,60C0,611X,612X,63G0,641X,712X,86M0,8U000,OS,OSS,PERS,YN,YNS
Brief Job Description:
Under the supervision of the Regional HIV/STD Manager and the guidance of the HIV/STD Team Leads, the Disease Intervention Specialist (DIS) conduct surveillance and public health follow up activities with people who tested positive for or who were exposed to HIV or other sexually transmitted infections (STI). Public health follow-up activities include intensive in-person or over the phone interviews with people infected with or exposed to STIs, medical record reviews, calling medical providers, visiting with people at their home or work, and conducting case management to verify successful testing or treatment. Activities require adhering to strict deadlines supported by extensive documentation. DIS also perform venipuncture (draw blood) in field settings. The work requires strong organizational skills, ability to adhere to tight deadlines, ability to effectively communicate with people from diverse backgrounds, and a thorough understanding of how STIs are spread. The work also requires driving throughout a 30-county area, typically during regular business hours, to meet with people in their home, at work, or other community locations. Due to the nature of the work, DIS are regularly exposed to explicit sexual language and images. Strict confidentiality requirements must be maintained at all times. Compliance with DSHS Immunization Policy required: serologic evidence of immunity to, or documented evidence of vaccination against, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (chickenpox), Tdap, annual vaccination against influenza, and hepatitis B.
Essential Job Functions (EJFs):
45% Core Public Health Follow up: Conducts in-person and phone interviews, re-interviews and cluster interviews with persons infected with HIV/STIs in accordance with DSHS DIS Performance Standards. Performs partner and cluster elicitation and notification to ensure all persons exposed to infections are informed, examined, and treated. Enters data into the agency’s information management system in accordance with established standards. Accurately completes epidemiologic and non-epidemiologic case management forms appropriately. Identifies, pursues, collects, and analyzes HIV/STI case information. Develops a case management plan for each HIV/STI case to enhance disease intervention outcomes. Documents case management activities and provides timely and thorough weekly updates. Performs active surveillance by routinely collaborating with public and private health care providers and laboratories to ensure disease reporting is in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.
35% Field Activities: Conducts field investigations in accordance with DSHS DIS Performance Standards. Conducts in-person partner and cluster elicitation and notification. Performs venipuncture in the field as outlined in the DIS Performance Standards. Coordinates with other regional programs and external partners to facilitate access to testing and treatment for STIs.
15% Surveillance: Conducts HIV/STI active surveillance activities. Provides technical support to medical providers, county health departments, PHR-7 public health clinics and other organizations providing HIV/STI screening, diagnosis, and treatment. Conducts follow-up with health care providers, laboratories, and health care agencies to identify cases, ensure timely treatment/diagnosis and reporting. Establish and maintain professional liaisons to support/encourage the required HIV/STI reporting.
5% Other duties as assigned may include but not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):
Knowledge of medical terminology related to HIV/STIs.
Knowledge of HIV/STI’s including symptoms, diagnostic techniques, treatment guidelines, prevention methods and epidemiology.
Knowledge of DSHS DIS Performance StandardsKnowledge of HHS/DSHS policies and procedures.
Skill in verbal and written communication.
Skill in data entry and word processing software.
Skill in developing and maintaining effective and professional relationships with other organizations, community partners and across cultural and socioeconomic lines. Skill in handling difficult situations and delivering difficult health information. Skill in organizing and managing multiples tasks and deadlines.
Ability to gather, assemble, correlate and analyze facts.
Ability to perform assigned duties with minimal supervision.
Ability to communicate complex information clearly and concisely. Ability to work with diverse populations and lifestyles without judgment.Ability to understand and interpret public health laws, rules, policies and regulations.
Ability to perform (or be trained to perform) venipuncture.
Ability to work effectively on a team and collaborate effectively with others.
Ability to work within a team using tact, diplomacy and assertive communication.
Ability to use available resources effectively to locate individuals named in investigations.
Ability to maintain confidentiality at all times.
Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:
Must possess a valid Class C Texas driver’s license, or equivalent license from another state.
Initial Screening Criteria:
- Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university. Full time related work experience or public health internships may substitute for college education on a basis of six months of experience for each one year of college education up to the four-year degree requirement. Experience in public health or HIV/STD programs is considered qualifying related experience.
- Experience with conducting interviews, investigations, and/or requesting sensitive information over the phone preferred.
- Experience working with vulnerable or marginalized populations preferred.
- Bilingual, spanish speaking preferred.
Additional Information:
Travel: Position requires 80% travel, most of which occurs during the regular workday. Evening, weekend or overnight travel may be occasionally required as well.
Required training: Completion of DSHS HIV/STD core training modules is required within the first 6 months. Completion of Fundamentals of Sexually Transmitted Disease Transmission training course is required after completion of the core training modules. This requirement may be deferred upon confirmation of prior completion of these training modules/course.
Work Hours Note: Applicants must have the ability and willingness to work core business hours, Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Flexibility in work hours may be required for this position. The position may occasionally be required to work overtime and/or extended hours.
Application/Resume Notes Applicants must provide information relevant to the required experience for this position in the job history sections of the application or resume.
Active Duty, Military, Reservists, Guardsmen, and Veterans:
Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but not limited to those listed in this posting. All active-duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified for this position. For more information see the Texas State Auditor’s Military Crosswalk at https://hr.sao.texas.gov/CompensationSystem/JobDescriptions/.
ADA Accommodations:
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), DSHS will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring process for individuals with a qualifying disability. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the interview process, please notify the person who contacts you to schedule the interview. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747 or via email at [email protected].
Salary Information, Pre-employment Checks, and Work Eligibility:
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The salary offered will follow DSHS starting salary guidelines. Any employment offer is contingent upon available budgeted funds.
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Depending on the program area and position requirements, applicants selected for hire may be required to pass background and other due diligence checks.
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DSHS uses E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work. Download the I-9 form
